Seeding-machine.



10.834,993. A PA'TBNTED'NQV. 6, 1906. l W. L. PAUL.

' SEEDING MACHINE.

APPLIMTIONy FILED JAN. 18, 1904.

4 sums-SHEET 1.

W. L. PAUL'.

SEEDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 11111.18. 1904.

m''zesseo:

PATENTBD NOV. 6,1906.

N0. 834,993.` A PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906. W. L. PAUL. SEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18. 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

j l @Awal PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906. W. L. PAUL.

SEEDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FAILED JAN. 1a, 1994.

4 SHEETS-#SHEET 4.

feeds ed:

IIIvIQrIaDV STATES PATENT OFFICE- WILLIAM L. PAUL, Or BRADLEY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR rO'DAvID BRADLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BRADLEY, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SEEDING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, I 9o e.

Application filed January 18, 1904. Serial No. 189,648. i

To q/ZZ whom t may concern: l Be it. known 4that I, WILLIAM L. PAUL, 'a citizen of the United States, residing at Brad'- lcy, in the county of Kankakee and State of ping accurately kernels of irregular shape, .to

prevent `.clicking ofthe machine, to provide improved agitatmg devices for agltatmgthe seed inthe hopper, and to otherwise improve character.

the construction of seeding devices of this Laccomplish these objects as hereinafter described 'and as illustrated in the drawings.

What I regardl as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is acentral longitudinal vertical sectiol,.`of my improved apjiaratus. Fi0f2 is 'a lplan view showing the inside of the seedbox or hopper. Fig. 3 is van under sidel view of the supporting-frame, which carries the" other parts of themechanism and the agitator.

Fig. 4 is a'plan' view of the secd-plate and seed-plate-carrying frame, part of the seed-' plate being 'broken away. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the seed-plate and the ringgear or annular rack by'which it is driven. Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 of Fig. 1, part of the.. seed-plate-supporting frame being removed. Fig. 7 is'a partial plan -view of the ring-gear for driving the seedeplate. Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating the' seed-discharging pawl or knocker andthe cut-of whichregulates the admission of seed m the seedbox to the outlet. Fig, 9 is a' n view of the seed-plate and ring-gear ch drives ldit. Fig. I0 is a perspective w of the agitator-o erating device, show- .ingit inverted; and lgs. 1 1, 1 2, and 13 are .'viewsillustrating different-,positions of the.v

agitator-operating device with relation to the agitator.

Referring to the drawings, 14 indicates the seedbox or hopper, 'which may be of any suitable shape, but is preferably cylindrical and made of sheet-iron.

in Fig. 1) and provided at one side with ears 16, adapted to be pivoted to a support 17, carried by the upper portion of the seed-tube 18, as shown in Fig. 1. By this arrange@ The bottom of the hopper is formed by a frame 15 (best shown ment the hopper may be tilted, rocking about a pivot 19. At the opposite side the frame 15 is provided with ears 20, which receive a vlug 21, also projecting from the upper portion of the seed-tube, as shown in F1gs.'1 and 2. A split key 22 or other suitable means serves to secure the frame 15 in place. The

lug 21 is provided at its inner side with a tooth 23, which is adapted to project overa part of the ring-gear, which operates the seed plate, andprevent the seedboX from being tiltedv except when one of the seedcups or recesses lies over the dischargeopening,.as will be hereinafter described;

As best shown in Fig. 1the bottom frame 15 of the hopper is annular in form and is provided with a segmental bottom plate 24,

which projects from one side of the frame 15 v*and is braced by a brace 25 at the opposite The 1 bottoni plate 24 servesV to support certain -parts of the apparatus.

side thereof, asshown in Figs. 1 and.2.

As shown in Fig., 1, it is provided centrally .with a downwardlyprojecting boss' or hub 26, upon vom which .are mounted a seed-plate 27^and a1.

seed-plate-supporting frame 28, as shown in.

Fig. 1f. The seed-plate-supporting frame 2.8 is fitted upon a reduced portion 290il the boss and is held in' place by a bolt 30,having a nut 3l and washer 32 at'its lower end, as shown in Fig. 1. upon the seed-plate-'supporting frame28 and is fitted upon the boss 26 above said frame.A

The seed-plate 27 rests A. j, 9S

As best-shown in Fig. .4, the seed-plate-supporting frame is fprovided with ,a number of arms.33 34', pre e upwardly and engage downwardly-extending rably four, which. project. A p roo arrns 35 36, carried'by the bottom-frame 15.5,v .v

The arms 34'and 36.are attened, so`asfto j abut squarely arrnu4 .is provi a ainst one another,' whi1e'the y.

edge'ffa( lap'ted to when they are secured together. other equivalent means maybe for this'purpose;

"supporting, frame f plate.

. box,

past said opening,

fit into a V-shaped recess provided inthe lower face of the keep the parts from getting out of position Obviously employed As shownin Figs.1 and 4, the seed-platewardly-projecting marginal flange 37, .t e

inner diameter of which is sli htly greater than the greatest diameter of the seed-plate 7km27, sothat, as shownin Fig. 4,v the seed-plate is adapted to rotate' within said flange.- -At one point in its periphery the seed-plate-supporting 'frame 1s yprovided with -a' notch 38 cups` or reintervals around the-,periphery of the seedseed-cups, so that when the see ldrops from -said seed-cups there is no dangerof its being vI impeded by the seed-plate-supporting frame. 'As best shown in Figs. 4 and 9, that portion of the upper surface of theseed-plate lying within and forward of the seed-cups 39 is beveled, as shown.` at 41, so as to .facilitate `the entrance of the kernels into the seed-v `cups. n The seedlate-supporting frame also supports an annu arrack or ring-gear 42, by which .the seed-plate is rotated. The rack l 42 rests upon the upper surface of the langej 37, as shown in Fig'. 1, and is so arranged vwith reference to the seed-plate 27 as -to lie in substantially the same horizontal plane f therewith. This is. best secured by making -the seed-plate-supporting frame somewhat conical-that is to say,

' portion thereof higher than the outer tion, so that the having the central porucpper surface of the seedistan'ce above the upper plate lies `a short surface of the flange 37, such distance being i equal 'to the thickness of that portion of the l rack 42: which rests upon said flange. By this construction the upper surface of the annular rack .sion ofy the seed-plate, the seed-cups lying a considerable distance from the margin ofvsaid rack, as shown iny Fig. 9. lplate and rack are connected, so that the 42 forms practically an exten- The seedseed-plate rotates in unison with said rack means of lugs 43, which fit in suitable recesses 44, provided in the margin of the seedplate, asshown in Figs. 4 and 9. As shown 4 l1n Fig. 1, a considerable ortion of the upper surface of the rack 42 ad;

acent to the recess or discharge-opening 38 lies within the seedso that kernels can be carried upon it as hereinafter described.

'Opposite each seed-cup 39 concavities 45 are provided in the Ainner margin of the rack v'42, as shown in Fig. 9. The object of such concavities is to accommodate kernels of ir- M regular shape and to permit their-proper de- 61'; livc'ryffrom the seedbox. YExcept at the 4're-1 arm 35, theobject being to i 28 is providedwith anu The recess38 is lalso 'dee er than the.

cess 38, the flange 37 of the seed-plate-supporting frame forms the lower outer portion of the seed-cups, the upper outer portion thereof being formed by the inner margin of the rack 42. When, however, by the rotation of the seed-plate any seed-cup reaches the recess 38, the inner portion of the rack alone serves as the outer portion of the seedcup. Consequently an enlarged area is )rovided for the discharge of the seed, which suffices to accommodate kernels of unusual size or shape, thus insuring the invariable delivery of the kernel.

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer margin ofthe rack 42 projects under the 4tooth 23 ofthe lug 21, and to permit the hopper to be tilted recesses 46 are provided at suitable intervals around the margin of said rack, as shown in Fig. 9. Said recesses are so placed as to prevent the hopper from being tilted except when one of the seed-cups overlies the recess 38 and has discharged its contents.

As indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, thc rack 42 is driven by a beveled gear 47, mounted on a shaft 48, driven from the carrying-Wheels in any suitable manner. The

discharge of the seed from the seed-cups is insured and reverse operation of the seedplate prevented by meansof a spring-pawl 49, pivotally-supported bythe bottom frame 15, as shown at 50 in Fig. v8, and adapted to enter the seed-cups successively, as therein shown. To this end the pawl 49 is provided with a pointed lower end 51 and is generally triangular in form. A spring 52, which bears at itslower end upon the upper surface of the pawl'49 and at its upper end against a housing 53, secured upon the frame 15, serves to yieldingly press down upon the pawl 49 and cause it to discharge the seed in the seedcups. The pawl 49 is placed over the recesses 38, as shown in Fig. 8, so that the seed is discharged at that point.

54 indicates a cut-off which is-arranged to bear upon the seed-plate in advance of the pawl 49, to prevent the seed from entering the housing in a mass. Said cut-oil is pivotally mounted upon the frame 15 and bottom plate 24, as shown at 55 in Figs. 2 and 8, and is provided with a spring. 56, placed between the inner end thereof and the frame 15, so that the outer end of said cut-off is depressed and held yieldingly in contact with the upper surface of the seed-plate. As shown in Fig. 8, the outer end of the cut-off 54 overlies the seed-cups, so that as the seedplatev rotates the cut-off'in great measure prevents the mass of seed from passing under the bottom plate 24 to the discharge-o ening 38, only such seed being carried un er the bottom plate as is contained in the seedpockets, which are designed to contain only a single seed in edgewise position. Occasionall however, a number of kernels are carrie around under the cut-ofi 54; but in IOO ITO

charge-opening.

- such cases the accuracy of the discharge is not affected, for the reason that only the seed actually inthe seed-cup has access to the dis- The remaining kernels are carried around back into the seedbox without chokingV the apparatusby reason of the fact thatan extended carrying-surface therefor is provided by making the. upper surface of the rackv a substantial extension of the seed-plate, ashereinbefore described.

The kernelsivhen thus carried around are guided by means of an outer iiange 57, de-

i best shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

i pending from the bottom of theI seedboxframe 15, and an inner flange 58, depending from an agitator-disk 59, which is mounted centrally in the bottom of the "seed-box, as The fianges 57 58 are best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the fianges 57 58 are widely separated adjacent to the dischargef passage ,38, at which point they lie .under `the bottom plate 24.

of a kernel of corn, asi-shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The arrangement is such that in the open part'of the seedbox said anges serve as guides to direct the kernels edgewise into the seed-cups, while those portions of said `flanges which extend under the bottom "plate are far enough from the pawl 49 to permit kernels lying on the upper surface of the seed-plate and rack 42 to pass freely at each vside of -said pawl, so that they may be carried backv into the' s eedbox without being discharged and .without clogging the apparatus. I'thus avoid choking ofsthe machine, f even-though Aa large number of extra kernels -maybe carried under the bottom plate, since such extra kernels simply pass around under 'the bottom plate baekinto.-He open part o1' A the seedbox. This, however', .does not inposition. 55

`teriere with'the discharge of the seed in the seed-cups, as the action of the discharge-pand 49 is not interfered with by such extra kernels.

'suitabledeviees o erated by the rotation of y the seed-plate.

. the agitator are best shown in Fig. 1 and Figs.

9 to 13, inclusive.

-Withgaseries of outer pins 60, .placed equally distant from its axis, and a series of' inner pins 61, also equally distant/from the axis, but

The l pins 61 .are adapted te'engage the inner Aarm lying closer theretokfdgian the pins 60.

In the open part of the ,seedbx, however, they are separated only'by 'afdistanee substantially equal to the thickness he. operating devices for As therein shown, the seed-plate is provided on itsv upper surface scribed.

v62 of a rocking dog 68, which is adapted to rock about a vertical axis, being provided with a stud 64, journaled in a suitable bearthe pins 61will swing it in the opposite direction. The rocking metion of' the dog 63 is communicated to the agitator 59 by means of an arm 67, which carries a pin 68, projecting into -a slot 69m the agitator 59, as shown in. Figs. 11 to 13, so that when the dog 63 rocks the agitator is carried with it in one direction or the other. In order to permit such movement of the a itatr, it is provided. with a slot 79, throng i which the stud 64 passes, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, the two slots 69 70 together forming a T, as shown. In order to enable the' agitator to better engage thc grain, its upper surface is provided with a series of depressions or irregularities 71, as shown in Fig. 2.

, As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the housing 53 is secured upon the bottom plate` 24 by means of a bolt72, so that it maybe readily removed when desired, and said housing serves also to cover and `protect the upper end of the bolt 30, over which itextends.

Having thus described in detail the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, I wish it to be -understopd that my invention is not restricted specifically to the construction shown except in so far as such details are particularly claimed, as it includes generically the subject-matter of the broader claims.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Iatcnt,-is-,

1. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, an agitator, a'rotary lseed-plate,

.IIO

and separate means between the seed-.platev and the agitator? operated by the rotationof the seedate for actiiating the agitator, substantially as described.

2. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, an agitator, `a rotary seed-plate,

means for rotating said seed-plate in a con-l stant direction, and separate means between the seed-plate and the agitator and actuated by rotation of the seed plate for oscillatingv said agitator, substantially as described.

3. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, an agitator, a rotary seed-plate, means for rotatlng said seed-plate in a constant direction, and separate means adapted i to engage the seed-plate and the agitator and operated :by the rotation of the s'eedlate for oscillating said agitator, vsubstantial y as de- 4. In a seeding device, the combination of ltlf'i'ving said seed-plate, substantially as dea seedbox,'an agitator, a rotary seed-pl/atep, means for rotating said seed-plate, a rocking dog between the "seed-plate and the agitator for oscillating said agitator, and means operated by the rotation of the seed-plate for rocking said dog, substantially as described. 5. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, an agitator, a rotary seed-plate,

means for rotating said seed-plate, a pivotally-mounted rocking dog for oscillating said agitator, and pins carried by said seed-plate a apted to engage said dog at opposite sides of its pivot for rocking the same as the seedplate rotates, substantially as described.

6. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedboX, an agitator, a rotary seed-plate,

` means for rotating said seed-plate, a pivot- 25./v '.a` seedoox, afbottom plate therefor, an agially-mounted rocking dog having arms, pins carried bysaid seed-plate adapted to engage said arms for rocking'said dog, and an arm carried by said deg adapted to engage said agitator; for oscillating the same when said dog is rocked, substantiall as described.

n 7. In a' seeding device, t e combination of tator mounted under said bottpm plate, a seed-plate upon which said agitator rests, means for rotating said seed-plate, a rocking dog pivotall mounted in said bottom plate, arms carrie bysaid dog adjacent to said seed-plate, pins carried by .said seed-plate -adapted to engage said arms for rocking the same, and means for oscillating said agitator by the rocking of said dog, substantially as described. l

8. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups, means forming an extension of said seedplate and having recesses opposite the seedcups, and means for driving said seed-plate, substantially as described.

9. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups, an

annular` member adapted to encircle said seed-plate forming an extension thereof and having recesses opposite the seed-cups, and means for driving said seed-plate, substantially as described.

10. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedboX, a seed-plate having seed-cups, an annular rack adapted to encircle said seedplate and form an extension thereof 'said rack having recesses opposite said seed-cups, and means connecting said seed-plate and rack, substantiall as described.

1 1. A see -plate, comprising anipner member having seed-'cups'inits periphery, and an outer annular member having recesses registering With said seed-cups.

12. Ina seeding device, thecombination of a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups in its peripher. means forming an extension of 13. In aI seeding device, the combination of a seedboX having a discharge opening, a seed-plate, an annular member adapted to encircle said seed-plate and form an extension thereof, seed-cups in the outer margin of said seed-plate, means overlying said seed-plate and acting to control the passage of seed to the discharge-opening, the upper surfaces of said seed-plate and extension being exposed adjacent to the discharge-opening, means for supporting said extension so that its upper surface lies substantially in the plane of the upper surface of the seed-plate, means connecjting said seed-plate and extension, and driving mechanism for rotating said seedplate and extension.

14. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups in its eriphery, an annular extension for said see -plate having recesses opposite said seedcups, a seed-plate-supporting frame, and a iiange` carried by said frame and projecting up beside the periphery of said seed-plate, said seed plate supporting frame having a discharge passage, substantially as described.

15. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups in its periphery, a seed-plate-supporting frame, a flange carried by said frame and projecting up beside the periphery of said seed-plate, a seed-plate extension extending over said flange and having recesses opposite said seedcups, and means for driving said seed-plate, substantially as described.

16. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedboX, a seed-plate having seed-cups in its periphery, a seed-plate-supporting frame, a flange carried by said frame and projecting up beside the periphery of said seed-plate, a 'seed-plate extension extending over said iiange and having recesses opposite said seedcups, means for driving said seed-plate, and means connecting said extension and said plate, substantially as described.

17. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups in its periphery, a seed plate supporting frame, a flange carried by said frame and projecting up beside the periphery of said seedplate, a seed-plate extension extending over said flange, means for driving said seed-plate, and means connecting said extension and said plate, said extension having recesses opposite said seed-cups, substantially as described.

18p In a seeding device, thecombination off'a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups in its periphery a seed late supportino frame, a ange cairied by said frame and pro? plate, said seed-.plate-supporting frame hav,-

gng a discharge-passage, an annular raclex- IOO IIO

jecting up beside the periphery of said seedsaid seed-p ate, said extension having recesses opposite said seed-cups, and means fer; `1,30

" passage over which said seed-cups pass as t e "tia ly as descn e i `-8311.993 j.

19. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, assed-plate, seed-cups therein, a discharge-passage, means for rotating said seed-plate te cause the seed-cups to move over said discharge-passage, andmeans havo e y mglits u er surface in the plane of the upper v/surface ofJ the seedplate and rotating there-d carrying surplus seed past the dis-v With for charge-passage back to the seedrbox.

20. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate, seed-cups therein, a discharge-passage, means for rotating said seed-plate to cause the seed-cu sto move over said discharge-passage, an means eX- ternally arranged relatively to said seed-plate and havingits upper/surface in the plane of the ulpper surfaceof the seed-plate and rotating t erewith for carrying surplus seed ast the discharge-passage back to the seed ox.

21. In a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed plate having seedcups, means connected with said .seed-plate forming an extension thereof, a discha eseed-plate rotates, and guides for'direc'ting the seed to said seed-cups, said guides being more widely separated adjacent to said dischargepassage to permit seed to becarried on the surface ofthe seed-plate ast said dischargeassage 'without bein discharged.

22. n a seeding device, t e combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate, seed-cups therein, A

a dischargefpassage, means for rotating said I `seed-plate to cause the seed-cn s to discharge their contents into said disc means externally arranged relatively to said seed-cups for carrying surplus seed ast the discharge-passage back to the seedlsox, and 'ding kernels singly to said seed-cups, sai idmg devices beingr more widely separate adjacent t .said dischargeassage.

guiding devices for arge-passage,

23. n a seeding device, the combination of a seedbox, a seed-plate having seed-cups, in its periphery, a discharge-passage, means for rotating said seedlate to cause the seedcups to move over sai discharge-passage, an annular .cxtenslon for said seed-plate, said extension being arranged to rotate With said seed-plate, and guidingdevices, said guiding devices being arranged to guide kernels singly tosaid seed-cups and being morewidely separated opposite said discharge-passage- I 24. In a seeding device,l the combination of a 'seedbox,a

ing an extension thereof, a discharge-passage over which said seed-cups pass as the seedplate rotates,l guides for directing the seed to saidseed-cu s, said guides'being more Widely separated a jacent to said dischargepassage to permit seed to be carried on the surface of, the seed -plate past said dischargepassage without bei charging see in said seed-cups through said discharge-passage. i,

WILLIAM L. PAUL.- Witnesses DAVID BRADLEY MORGAN, F. W. BICKNELL.

seed late having seed-cups, means connected Wit said seed-plate formdischarged, and means for dis- 

